Rounded keypad

Abstract

A rounded keypad device capable of being operated with only one finger comprises the invention. The keypad device includes a keypad having keys, which are positioned within a movement radius of the finger of an operator and have the English letters required for forming desired words or numbers or functions to be executed. The keys are arranged in a high using-frequency key section involving first set keys among the keys of the keypad, the first keys being assigned to English letters and functions that are relatively frequently used when inputting letters and function executing instructions. The first keys being positioned in a round configuration which is defined around the eye's focal point on the keypad and in a minimum movement radius of the finger of the operator, along a first virtual circle. The keypad also includes a second low-using frequency key section comprising remaining second set of keys among the keys of the keypad, the second keys being assigned to English letters and functions that are relatively infrequently used when inputting letters and function executing instructions. The second set of keys is arranged in a rounded configuration concentric with the rounded configuration of the first set of keys and having a radius larger than the minimum movement radius. Various mode and function switches are also provided and the geometric configurations can be used with a variety of keypads and for inputting a variety of devices.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONThis invention relates to a device for inputting information into systems and particularly to a rounded keypad for inputting directions, numbers, letters, etc. into equipment such as computers, telephones, etc., using only one or both thumbs. The concentric array of keys arranged in a clockwise order provides the easiest, fastest way of inputting data. The geometric arrangement of the keys is an important feature of the invention.Known data input means and function execution means usually comprise a conventional keyboard used with computers and the like or the limited arrangements appearing on calculators, portable radio telephones, electronic memo books, and the like. The present invention while utilizing available technology provides a unique push button rounded keypad, which is smaller and easier to operate than the prior art. The rounded keypad permits rapid input of data into computers, etc., and particularly hand held portable devices using one or both t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Accordingly, the present invention represents an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rounded keypad device which is capable of being operated with only one finger, whereby input operations of desired characters, numerals and function executing instructions can be quickly implemented.

Another object of this invention is to provide a miniaturized rounded keypad device which provides quickness and convenience in inputting information at the same level as a keyboard of a computer system while applied to a portable radiotelephone or the like.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a rounded keypad device, which allows a user to easily recognize and remember a key arrangement and is configured to facilitate movement of an operating finger so that key input operations can be performed in a more convenient and quick manner.

Describing in detail the arrangement of the twenty-six keys 11 which are part of the English alphabet, keys 11 of high using-frequency, that is, are assigned to letters which are frequently used are positioned around an eye's focal point within a minimum circular movement radius in which the operating finger of the operator can be moved. The eye's focal point 22 designates a first recognized center portion of a keypad 10 in the case that the operator views the keypad 10 for input of letters. With this feature, the operator can easily recognize and remember the key arrangement, and at the same time, the key arrangement can effectively satisfy the movement of the operating finger, generally the thumb.

Further, it is to be noted that the letters are continuously arranged in their alphabetical order in order to improve key recognizability upon performing key input operations. In other words, the alphabet keys are successively arranged in their alphabetical order along a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Problems solved by technology

However, the keyboard of a computer system is not able to properly serve as portable information input means where it is carried by the user.

That is to say, since the computer keyboard has a relatively large size, it cannot readily be applied to a rounded portable device such as a portable radiotelephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and the like.

As a consequence, notwithstanding convenience of data entry, it is not possible to adopt the keyboard of a computer system in it present format as information input means for a rounded portable device.

However, while the conventional keypad device of a portable radiotelephone has certain advantages, since it can be mounted in a narrow space and a user can input desired information while carrying it, the device suffers from defects in terms of efficiency in that inputting information is slow.

In other words, although the conventional keypad device can be used to some degree as a rounded portable device because of size, it cannot provide sufficient inputting of information similar to the keyboard of the computer system.

However, since most of these keypads are manufactured with emphasis on miniaturization, they are not satisfactory from the standpoint of an operator's convenience in inputting information.

None of the foregoing prior art patents discloses or suggests the rounded keypad keyboard proposed by applicant that is adaptable for various languages and is unusually flexible nor do they disclose the geometry of the keypad proposed by applicant.

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